Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

I have been using sharkbites in situations where it is hard to solder near wood etc & for When I have a leaking-by valve- they are great to have in your box. They have come way down in price lately & the unions are 6 to 7 bucks & the tees & elbows 8 & 9. I buy them at do it best hardware. Of course, these prices are contractor prices which we get 15% off. The only thing with them is the pipe spins in them so you have to clamp it as you go along. They are super & you can release them with the little plastic "horseshoe"............ My 2 cents

Warning:
The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury
or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained
on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling
task!

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

A quick note. The original Gator Bites were a copper body and did not come with the inserts and were a one shot deal. They also make a Gator Bite that is brass bodied and they do have the inserts that come with them and they can be removed also. They seem to work as well as the Shark Bites and are almost identical. There is also a plastic version that is made by Watts that is for servicing PEX, Copper, CPVC, and Polybutylene also which the other two do not. They do work and I look at these as fitting designed for people that do not have the means to afford a plumber or to repipe their houses and must do it themselves but also know several Plumbers that use them when doing cost cutting repairs for poorer cliental with needs.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnifeGun

If you plan on reparing or installing PE-X - I reccomend SharkBite fittings and not GatorBite. Gatorbite is a knock off of the SharkBite fitting and does not come with the PE-X Stiffenor whcih is required for push fit fittings / PE-X applications. SharkBite has the PE-X Stiffenor pre-installed.

Hakuna Matata!

Gatorbites are not a knock off of sharkbite. We, along with our competetor were trying to get our products out on the market first. As you can see, sharkbite does not have the copper one shot, (as one poster called them) they are called Q-tite. So the sharkbite did beat us out, but we had another line to get also. By the way, the copper Q-tite is manufactured from start to finish in the USA.
As for the Pex liner (stiffenor) . It sure is a pain in the backside to get out of the fitting if you are not using pex. All you do is put it in the end of the pex pipe and shove it in anyways. No need to be in there with copper or PVC. I test and set up these parts everyday. I've plumbed with them, no problems, other than the one that I din't get installed properly.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

Don't want to step on toes, but what did ya'll do for a living before there was Sharkbites, CPVC (Still don't understand why anyone would trust a glue joint under pressure in a building or under ground for that matter), Poly/Pex, etc...

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

Quote:

Originally Posted by assocplumbers

Don't want to step on toes, but what did ya'll do for a living before there was Sharkbites, CPVC (Still don't understand why anyone would trust a glue joint under pressure in a building or under ground for that matter), Poly/Pex, etc...

Around here we used copper and replaced it every 10 years or so due to acid water in the wells. Most homeowners don't keep up with the acid neutralizers so copper is toast. CPVC lasts much longer. I could kiss the guy who invented flowguard gold glue. At least now it doesn't look like someone threw up on the pipe like it did with purple primer.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

RE: GatorBites. I have used Shark Bites and the Watts version of same -- sold by Lowes. Lowes version made by Watts are brass, very heavy duty, with white plastic cover on ends. Know that Lowes also has a product called GatorBites. They are thin wall pressed copper and once a push connection is made you cannot release like the Shark and Watts versions. I have had no problems whatsoever with SB and Watts. I trust them to the point of putting behind walls. That said: GatorBites are a class action law suit (aka time bomb) coming soon (in my opinion). I had to take apart 12 t connects because during air test at 60lbs, every 3 or 4 leaked big time. Today I went to lowes and noticed all copper GatorBites had been pulled off shelves. With SB and Watts, you follow directions and you can rest ez. I would not be able to sleep if I had GatorBites in my house or used on a job. Also noticed that if you search for GatorBites on lowes web site, the product shown is the Watts heavy duty, brass push fit connect that can be released. FYI the (copper) GatorBites that should be pulled from the market (in my opinion) are sold in bags containing 3 each for about 21.00. If you see them RUN AWAY. I am going to see the store manager at lowes and let know of issues. I know it is hard to believe, but I am not going to ask for my money back although it would be nice--I can eat the 80 bucks I spent. My concern is some poor person afraid to sweat a joint uses these and causes a ceiling collapse, or worse. Soldering is ez, fun, and cheap too! Shark Bites Rock!!

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

I have been using these quick connect fitting in brass and plastic for the last 5 or so years and they can be really handy at times. Most UK timber frame builds use speedfit pipe and fittings and have always liked the plastic over the brass "Sharkbite" brand. It's a shame that Speedfit dont make US size's. The problem with them is the o-rings have a limted life in the hot supply. I have seen these things fail as soon as 3 years after install and can cost you a pretty penny to repair the damage. The JP Speedfits are also very easy to install and remove compaired to the other types. But you can beat the quick disconnet caps for a quick end termination. I would never use these fittings in a full system but for the odd job here and there they can be a very handy thing to have lieing about in your box. The JP Speedfit is also double walled so that it wont crack or burst anywhere never as easy as a single walled pipe.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

I'm doing a small and quick repair and am using a Gator bite 90degree 1/2 elbow to install a shower head.

I have samples of each and they appear to be the same concept. I like the idea of plumbing it up with PEX.

I started using AquaPEX about 10 years ago. I got the company training and offer a 30 year AquaPEX backed guarantee.

The stuff is great! No heat, no flames and always leak tight. Never failed a building inspection. If you kink it, heat it up to clear and it resumes it's shape.

I did a house with low water pressure. The low flows and gentle bends for making turns reduced line turbulance (read:pressure loss).

I moved some plumbing in a garage for a customer who had PEX and it was a dream. Didn't matter if there was water in the line. A shear cutter and some barb fittings and I was on my way.

I use the plastic fittings by AquaPEX with no problems, why spend up for copper (although the valves and manifolds are.

I also don't care much for the Quest crimp ring system. The AquaPEX process of expanding the ID, inserting the fitting and waiting about 30 seconds for it to contract is easy once you get the hang of it.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

The bottom line is.. These fittings are expensive. So depending on whats being repaired or assembling (like the picture shown with all the fittings); it can certainly be expensive. But if you are repairing a long length of pipe with only 2 fittings needed, then it is without a doubt a good deal. My entire house is done in gator bites. If for any reason something goes wrong it may take only a few minutes to repair. compared to ruining half my day if I had to cut, cut, and everything else involved in copper repairs.
So whether it ends up being a bit more expensive, or even lets say it ends up being cost efficient (which it can go both ways). I have not had a problem with my gator bite set up. It took me one day to re-do the whole house. Any Joe Shmo can do it. And in the long run it will save the customer money... or headaches.
But sadly said, it will effect plumbers business

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

It wont affect the plumbers at all because they will be the ones who have to come out and repair the system and do it all again properly. Like people have said "sharkbites" have there place but i would never use them in a full system where i want it to last 20-30+ years. Plus it would be far cheaper to call a plumber out and do a system in copper than it would a guy come out and do a whole system in "sharkbite". You save on labor you spend on fittings.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

To come out for a repair is one thing. And to replace an entire houses plumbing arrangement is another. Obviously if I was to replace the into copper pipe it would then cost an arm and a leg. This is not a secret.
The difference now is if any problem occurs. The fix is as simple as cutting the tube and snapping it back into the fitting. Done.

The tubing in addition cost about $40 for a roll with enough to cover the entire house vs. one copper pipe that can cost that much or much much more... And then you have to solder them together.

I just think from experience that gator bites have proven to be most cost efficient as well as durable.

Plumbers just cant possibly charge anyone the same amount to repair a gator set up than if it was all copper.

Copper you hav to cut chop mend and make sure not leaking. Gator is a no brainer, sometimes cut the tube and snap it back in. Simple.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

My point exactly.. Really takes no brains to use it. Which will inevitably result in homeowners catching on to the phenomenon. Literally seconds to easily make a plumbing repair on their own, where normally a plumber would charge a small fortune... now they can do it themselves costing them anywhere from $0 to $20 tops (gas included).

example: If for some strange reason the plastic piping breaks on a gator bite set up. You can literally cut it at that split and snap the end right back on to the adapter.

But..

If a copper pipe is leaking. well, lets just say it requires alot more. I do all my own repairs. So none of this would effect me either way. Whether its gator bites or all copper. But.... I would prefer to make a repair that consists of gator bite parts. And I do not see how anyone in their right mind wouldn't feel the same.

Re:
Gator Bite Fittings, Feed Back Please

Quote:

Originally Posted by else bronx

My point exactly.. Really takes no brains to use it. Which will inevitably result in homeowners catching on to the phenomenon. Literally seconds to easily make a plumbing repair on their own, where normally a plumber would charge a small fortune... now they can do it themselves costing them anywhere from $0 to $20 tops (gas included).

example: If for some strange reason the plastic piping breaks on a gator bite set up. You can literally cut it at that split and snap the end right back on to the adapter.

But..

If a copper pipe is leaking. well, lets just say it requires alot more. I do all my own repairs. So none of this would effect me either way. Whether its gator bites or all copper. But.... I would prefer to make a repair that consists of gator bite parts. And I do not see how anyone in their right mind wouldn't feel the same.

At DrywallTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.